This review may contain spoilers
It warms your heart in the most clever, hilarious and emotionally heavy way.
As someone who was always put into a difficult and horrible position by my parents, as well as having multiple autistic close relatives and anti-social, narcissistic personality traits, I related to this kdrama a lot. It was slow, electric and captivating. I particularly enjoyed the fresh change of pace in the dynamic between the main characters, as well as the character growth shown across the episodes. Having the FL as she was, but also the actual acceptance of who she was, because I often feel that people demonise those with personality disorders or try to “correct” them, and many shows with “Cold” FL’s, end up turning soft, was poetic and presented a strong-minded butt of heads between the main couple. I really enjoyed the dual complexion between the brothers because it really is tough being a caretaker and I felt so seen just through the ML’s situation. This kdrama was heartfelt, sincere, comical and thrilling at times. The director hit the cinematography like a nail on a hammer with stunning animation, CGI, and use of dark scenery. Every episode carries depth and emotional baggage that is not battered heavily by dialogue but smoothly with clean scene transitions and soft imagery that juxtaposes the dark context of the two main leads' childhood trauma. It tantalises you into a mystery, and while yes, developed slowly, it never feels so. Though the main crux of the drama is dealt with towards the end, across the whole show there is a very strong grasp on chemistry; loveydovey at times but also hilariously stressful at others.This kdrama is slowpaced like all others, enough so to make you question what the ending really is, largely because the plot is sort of non-existent but in a very good way. However, I am severely disappointed in the execution of the FL’s mother and that storyline. Up until Episode 17, it was perfectly written as a tense, spine-chilling and emotionally devastating mystery that is told in an unreliable narrative by two people’s memories. And then, it is revealed, rather lousily (in my opinion, although there were efforts to make this cohesive by hinting at it across 4 episodes) that the FL’s mother is NOT dead but alive and kicking—she works as the Head Nurse at the very psychiatric hospital where the ML works and the FL’s father is a patient at. It is really such a… Hollywood-esque plot twist that has no substance other than sticking in a tense “life or death” flight to push together two main leads AS IF THEY DON’T ALREADY HAVE CHEMISTRY(?) Chemistry that, mind you, was built up in the most brilliant, emotional and humourous way across 17 episodes.
The flashbacks that the FL has about her mother and the darkness of her past have always alluded to the mother’s death, something that honestly could have worked out as such a poignant allegory for the FL to overcome her past trauma. Not all mothers need to be revived or be “alive” for the trauma to be real, or for people to heal. Personally, having the mother be alive after all those years was a slap in the face to the grief that the FL was processing—it could have been confirmed in some sick way that the FL killed her mother as a child—and that it raises a lot of questions. What was her purpose then? Why, after so many years, would you want to re-enter your family’s life again randomly? Especially since you had so many chances to kill the FL’s father, or even kill the FL. I think it was said that the FL’s mother had memory loss—another sloppy slap in the face, especially since trauma is so vividly and visibily remembered and recounted in this show. I was extremely happy with the ending, but how Episode 17 and 18 were executed, left me a little sour.
It just felt out of place and cheap, and the show’s creators had built up the perfect image of the FL's mother being an unattainable ghost, a figment of the past that the FL must conquer and move on from. It would have been such a perfect allegory, especially given how violent, gorey and ghostlike a lot of the FL’s children books and morals are. Rather, having the mother be alive allows for a physical manifestation that justice can be inflicted on, even though most of the trauma in this show is about having to fight the ghosts of your past. I can't help but wonder if they did this largely because of the subplot that was the ML's mother, who we would never have really known was murdered by the FL's mother if she wasn't alive to allude to it.
Despite my criticisms of how the last bit of the main plot was handled, I say this with the utmost chest that I truly want more of these kdramas in the world. The ending is powerful, empathetic and warm, a happy ending that understands the handling of trauma and the slow but bitter process of moving on.
As for Sang Tae, I have always been hazy on the presentation of autistic characters in media due to the subsequent trivialisation, infantalisation and demonisation that follows. They are treated like children and have their rights and autonomy taken away from them through their actions. However, this kdrama changed that, big time. Sang Tae was written extremely well from my perspective, as a person who understands what it is like to be in his and Kang Tae's position. He's clever, childish but not in a "baby-like" way but rather in a way that can embolden his creativity and skills, and is accurately emotional and hard to socialise with.
I want to thank the actor for the accuracy and dedication to the role of Sang Tae, as well as the accuracy of the actor for the FL because it is extremely difficult to play a character with an anti-social personality disorder without being written off as a robotic, cold-hearted, "tsundere" strong woman. Rather, the FL gorgeously plays the role to a T. She carried this show with her comedy and her brash, reckless behaviour. I was rooting for her all the way.
Anyway, this was so close to being a 10. So close. Of course, it all depends on perspective. Shows can't always please everyone. I thoroughly enjoyed this narrative enough to 100% recommend it. Though heavy and emotionally upsetting, it is powerful and I loved it. I think that in terms of a rewatch, it might vary from person to person because this was the kind of show I would need to sit down and watch again in one sitting when I am looking for a source of comfort or a way to process trauma.
Hope this review helps!
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This review may contain spoilers
Be Prepared to Cry Your Eyes Out
Damn!!! I cried a lot with this drama. So many scenes that broke my heart and so many children carrying heavy burdens placed on them by their parents. Goodness!!I liked the series overall. Really great cast but especially Oh Jung Se as Sang Tae. The man should have won all the awards the year this came out!!This drama ended up being totally different from what I thought it was going to be about. Seo Yea Ji is stunning and once again the Kdrama wardrobe and costumes department was on fire with her looks. However, her character, Ko Moon Young was not easy to like. Once we get her full story, we can see why she behaved the way she did. It was actually quite refreshing to see her development throughout the series.
Moon Gang Tae is one of the most heartbreakingly, tragic characters I have ever watched in a drama, K or otherwise. The amount of things this man had to endure was too much for me to bear and like I said, I cried a lot. The man couldn't catch a break.
One of the best things about this drama was the use of the well-known fairytales and the ones created by Moon Young that show the parallels of the characters lives.
I also really loved the animated scenes from the storytelling. Just phenomenal. OST is good too!
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Good
The writing on this show was actually top notch. The characters are complex and compelling. It was just so fascinating to watchthese characters banter and slowly open up to eachother. Of course, it's enemies to lovers, which I love. But it's portrayed in such a unique but realistic way that I haven't witnessed before in kdrama history. All of the characters have their flaws but that's what makes them all the more interesting. I also love how it feels like a fairytale and the use of stop motion. The acting is great across the board. Go Mun Young was iconic and her outfits ate down. It does follow the standard 16 episode format (which as you know I'm not a fan of) so it drags a bit. But it makes up for that in other aspects!
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A rock that turns into a gem
First of all, I must proclaim that it is quite a while since I watched this. But: This is one of those shows that you don't forget easily.I must also admit that the first episodes or so I wasn't really impressed. I think the female protagonist was a bit "over the top" for my liking.
But then, just as a rock that gets polished by the waves, the underlaying themes revealed themselves and I saw the beauty.
I guess my best way of describing it is to take some rather serious themes, spin a story around said themes that is a bit "over the top" to not make it feel too heavy, but rather make you laugh, feel some suspense, and love - both familiar love, and a bit of romantic love – and maybe you even got a bit emotional.
The acting was superb. Seo Ye-ji, Kim Soo-hyun and Oh Jung-se especially all gave convincing portrayals.
Seo Ye-ji's charachter Ko Moon-young (FL) was annoyingly crazy, but also managed to let you see the cracks in her armour every now and then.
Moon Kang-Tae, portrayed by Kim Soo-hyun, made you want to take him in, give him lots of hugs and support.
And then last, but not least: Moon Sang-tae, brilliantly brought to life by Oh Jung-se. He gave so much life and development to his character.
The supporting cast was also good – I can't remember a single one I frowned upon.
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Loved
This got me back into dramas, it’s a drama I think about a lot and feel like I could really rewatch. The cast was incredible and the story kept me guessing. It really got me emotional and touched my heart. Perfect amount of romance, horror, mystery, and magic. The fashion was really cool too! I look forward to see what these actors do next. It makes me wish there would be another season in the future.I do understand why some people may not like it because it’s intense and if you have trauma it may be a little uncomfortable in moments. But overall everyone is likable in the right ways
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It Was a Story I Never Knew I Needed
This drama, touched my heart in so many ways. As someone who personally struggles with her own demons to the point that I don’t think I would ever get out of it, it showed me I can, that some days will be tough, but you can get through it.Mun-yeong and the patient who was haunted by the Vietnam War I felt I related to them the most, as someone who cling onto her past to the point I thought I would never find the door, or never cut off my leash to the past that was making me miserable. I thought I would drown and let my mental health and the people I let take control of my life continue to dictate me, thinking they were good when they were just more added demons.
There were days I felt like the people I had in my life that stepped on me like an empty can and crush me to the point I wasn’t allowed to feel anything or be my true self. And to be honest, I didn’t like Ju-ri in the beginning. She was catty, cruel, and she was a two-faced witch. She didn’t trust and understand fully what was going on with Mun-yeong and she ran away. Then she thought that she was poison for Gang-tae, and so did he. I relate to him honestly as well. I’ve had to put a smile on my face for so many people and act like them walking all over me is okay, that not being okay was wrong, that truthfully, there’s a bit of me in everyone of those characters. Except for Mun-yeong’s mom. I’m the woman who still thinks she’s a child, I still live with trauma, I had to live to people’s expectations or they would find me too embarrassing and dumb to hang around. I have to put a smile on my face every single day. When in reality, I want to scream, hit, hurt, and punch someone.
And Sang-tae? He’s the big brother everyone needs. Yes, the drama taught me, that it’s okay to not be okay, to live the life I want to live, and to find happiness. To be The Cheerful Dog that finally got to cut off his leash and play in the fields, to be the Zombie Kid that finally got his warmth, and I will be the girl (cause I’m not a boy), who will remember my dark past and my demons, because remember my dark and weakened past will make me stronger, more passionate, more determined, emotionally flexible, and I will find happiness.
I not only cried, but laughed, yelled at the screen, and cheered them on. This was as story I didn’t know I needed, the acting was superb, and I know I thought Crash Landing On You was my number 1 favorite, but this one takes it spot, moving CLOY to number 2 and What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim to number 3. Thank you, Sang-tae, Gang-tae, Mun-yeong, and even Mang-tae for showing me self-love.
THE BEST DRAMA EVER.
PS: For those who don’t think it was accurately depicted mental health wise, it was. Just some of their diagnosis wasn’t correct. As someone who has spent her entire life in and out of hospitals, I’ve seen everything under the sun. A lot of it was depression, PTSD, I will give Mun-yeong Antisocial Personality Disorder along with I’ll say bipolar. But PTSD symptoms and major depression was definitely there. All in all, great performance from the cast. The soundtrack was amazing (some songs I need to download), the story perfect, I’ll definitely rewatch it again in the future.
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must watch
i love this drama story and every thing is too goodwhen i start watching this first seems bored but after half episode. i watched non-stop whole drama loved it..
I really love the story. It's unique and refreshing
actor and actress acting is superb
Supporting actor acting is also too good
in this drama-Comedy, Romance, trauma, frustration, pain, sorrow, mystery
Most people are not ready for this kind of kdrama but when i start watching unique story i loved it
Overall, if you're looking for a good 2020 drama, then congrats, you just found it
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Warm, funny and poignant
A drama that pulls at your heart strings and stays unforgettable. So warm, hilarious and moving.The FL character is so charmingly psycho, her deep voice, no-filter talk and swearing are cute and endearing. The leads look beautiful. The costumes, the castle, hospital, the scenery- everything is eye candy. Bonds of brotherhood, friendship and found family are endearingly portrayed. This was not the type of drama i found to be binge watch friendly, rather I slowly enjoyed it over several days. Loved the perfect ending.
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A BEAUTIFUL PSHYCOLOGICAL DRAMA, WITH A WHOLESOME STORY AND PERFECT MUSIC .
This drama is a masterpiece when it comes to kdramas. I love the cast , their acting feels perfectly natural and as the story progresses you really start to connect with them. The plot is also good and feels natural . The music is just perfect , I found myself grooving along with it every time I heard it and overall gives a nice feel to the show . Being a perfectionist myself I tend to watch only those dramas that actually worth the time I am investing in them and trust me, this show is worth your time. Its is fun to watch and has a balance of emotions , so you will not feel bored at all. The music fit well with the characters and the story. The characters are super fun and every one has a unique trait making even the side characters fun to watch. OVERALL , AN EXELLENT SHOW , THAT IS WORTH YOUR TIME , IT GIVES YOU A REFREASHING FEELIING AFTER YOU COMPLETE IT AND VERY WHOLESOME.Was this review helpful to you?
Performances by the three main leads are phenomenal, but a standing ovation must go to Oh Jung Se as he nailed Moon Sang Tae's character down as if he was autistic and suffering from PTSD himself. His gestures, mannerisms, quirks and ticks all make his character as the mentally-challenged artistic genius so believable, while retaining his forthright innocence. Kim Soo Hyun somehow became more handsome when I saw him last in 2013's MLFTS. First time seeing Seo Ye Ji, but she also was born to play the eccentric author Ko Moon Young, with a dangerous mix of sexy and devil.
Supporting characters have each of their own strength and personalities that all together, made the drama cohesive. Fashion and cinematography are also worth noting. Had to deduct half a point due to the dip in pacing towards the last quarter of the drama. If you are looking mainly for romance, this is not the drama, but unless you are inhuman, your heartstrings will be tugged seeing flawed characters leaning on each other for support, how your circumstances do not necessarily make who you are, but how you make out of it.
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